NASCAR Hendrick Motorsports

402 posts

Upcoming Kentucky Test Adds New Variables to Lower-Downforce Equation

NASCAR NASCAR Wire Service Sprint Cup Series Track News
Photo - Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

For more than a third of active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, there will be no rest for the weary.

One driver from each Cup organization is eligible to participate in a test of newly repaved Kentucky Speedway on Monday and Tuesday. The test is a continuation of NASCAR’s proving-out process for a new lower-downforce competition package earmarked for 2017.

Last year, as the sanctioning body solidified the rules for 2016, races at Kentucky and Darlington were used as benchmarks for the progression toward lower downforce for the Cup cars. This year, in selected events, NASCAR is taking an additional 500 pounds of downforce and 125 pounds of sideforce away from the cars by chopping the size of the spoiler, reducing the surface area of the splitter, tapering the rear deck lid fin and eliminating rear axle offset. Continue reading →

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wrecked Early at Michigan International Speedway

Catchfence Chris NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Track News
Photo - Josh Hedges/Getty Images
Photo – Josh Hedges/Getty Images

Vocal that he had a strong car for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. never really had the opportunity to showcase it after being eliminated in early race crash.

Shortly after a Lap 60 restart Earnhardt’s Chevrolet was in a three-wide battle with Chris Buescher (on the bottom) and A.J. Allmendinger (on the outside). Buescher’s Front Row Motorsports Ford broke loose and hit the left rear of Earnhardt’s car, which sent both he and Allmendinger into the backstretch wall.

The damage was too severe for both Earnhardt and Allmendinger to continue placing them 39th and 38th respectively in the finishing order. Continue reading →

Chase Elliott says ‘Dumb Mistake’ Cost him First Win at Michigan

Catchfence Chris NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Track News Xfinity Series
Photo - Josh Hedges/Getty Images
Photo – Josh Hedges/Getty Images

Continuing to do miraculously things in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie season, Chase Elliott said a ‘dumb mistake’ prevented him from capturing his first career win in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

“I had another fantastic car,” said Elliott. “My guys have been doing a really good job the past few weeks, and we’ve been just trying to give it all we can get to get one of these things. Had another fantastic opportunity today, and I feel like definitely messed that one up for my guys.

“As I said outside, you can’t do dumb stuff and expect to win. That’s just the way life is. That’s certainly the way this sport is, and I did dumb stuff today, so can’t expect to win.”

Continue reading →

Chase Elliott Strong at Pocono but Settles for Fourth

ARCA Catchfence Chris NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Track News Xfinity Series
Photo - Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

For a while during Monday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Axalta ‘We Paint Winners’ 400 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, it appeared that Chase Elliott would score his first career victory, but when the checkered flag waved, the Hendrick Motorsports rookie settled for fourth.

Elliott, the 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion saw his winning chances disappear following a restart when he was battling teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the race lead. An aggressive move in the tricky Tunnel Turn forced Elliott to burp the gas, which allowed Kurt Busch who was riding third to pass the Hendrick Motorsports duo and never look back. Continue reading →